Tool adapter with retention means



July 1, 1969 c. F. ERIKSON TOOL ADAPTER WITH RETENTION MEANS Sheet 0! 4Original Filud April 6, 1964 July 1, 1969 c. F. ERIKSON TOOL ADAPTERWITH RETENTION MEANS Sheet Original Filed April 6, 1964 July 1 1969 c.F. ERIKSON Re. 26,623

TOOL ADAPTER WlTH RETENTION MEANS Original Filed April 6, 1964 Sheet of4 July 1, 1969 c, ERlKSON Re. 26,623

TOOL ADAPTER WITH RETENTION MEANS Original Filed Anril e. 1964 sheet 4of 4 FIEUD United States Patent 26,623 TOOL ADAPTER WITH RETENTION MEANSCarl F. Erikson, Belvidere, lll., assignor to Sundstrand Corporation, acorporation of Delaware Original No. 3,242,819, dated Mar. 29, 1966,Ser. No.

357,467, Apr. 6, 1964. Application for reissue Apr. 11,

1967, Ser. No. 694,759

Int. Cl. B23c 9/00; B23b 51/00 U.S. CI. 90-11 40 Claims Matter enclosedin heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part ofthis reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates theadditions made by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a machine tool having a rotatable spindlewith an internal bore the combination of a collet for gripping a tooladapter and latch means for positively retaining the adapter within thespindle bore. Sensing means is pro vided for determining when theadapter is properly positioned within the spindle bore, and coolantmeans is pr0- vided for cooling the tool carried by the adapter and theworkpiece during a machine operation.

This invention relates in general to machine tools, and moreparticularly to an adapter retention construction and associatedmechanism.

An object of the invention is the provision of new and improved toolmounting means which will retain a tool and its adapter in a spindleagainst axial movement relative to the spindle.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a tool mountingmeans as described in the previous paragraph which is also effective topositively rotate the tool adapter.

A still further object of the invention is to provide tool mountingmeans for retaining a tool and its adapter against movement bothoutwardly and inwardly of a spindle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an adapter havingmeans for adjusting the overall length of the adapter and its includedtool with positively acting locking means which cooperate with thelength adjusting means to prevent axial movement of the adapter.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an adapter asdescribed in the previous paragraph wherein means for rotatablyinterlocking the adapter to the spindle are associated with the lockingmeans.

Still another object of the invention is to associate coolant supplymeans with the tool mounting assembly described above.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tool mountingassembly with means for determining the positive seating of an adapterin the spindle.

Still another object of the present invention is to pro vide a toolmounting assembly as described in the previous paragraph with means forcleaning the tool adapter seat.

And another object of the invention is the provision of improved meansfor releasing a collet and adapter latching means, to free the adapterfor movement relative to a spindle.

These and other objects of the invention will become more fully apparentfrom the following specification and drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of one end of amachine tool head illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 1a is a continuation of FIGURE 1 showing the other end of themachine tool head;

FIGURE 2 is a detail view of a latch member of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the structure set forth in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the key body ofthe present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view, taken along line 55 of FIGURE 4 and line5-5 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 6 is a rear view of the key body shown in FIGURE 4 and FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the key body shown in FIGURES 4-6;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken substantially as shown along line 88of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a schematic view of one embodiment of adapter sensingapparatus;

FIGURE 10 is a framentary perspective view of the subject machine toolconstruction performing a milling operation; and

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary view showing a modified latching arrangement.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail a preferred embodiment of the invention and a modificationthereof, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to beconsidered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, andis not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference charactersdesignate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, amachine tool spindle head is shown which is generally of the typedescribed in the U.S. patent application of Swanson and Erikson, Ser.No. 59,236, filed Sept. 29, 1960, for a Tool Supporting Adapter, nowPatent No. 3,136,563 granted June 9, 1968. Reference may be made to theabove mentioned application for a full understanding of the completeunit, as only a description of the essential operating structure and thenovel changes and improvements are herein set forth in detail.

In FIGURE 1, reference numeral 10 indicates a spindle, which isrotatably mounted in a frame, not shown, by suitable bearing assemblies11, 12 and 13. A gear 14 is operatively secured to spindle \10 andcooperates =with a gear train, not shown, which is mounted in theaforementioned frame, to rotatably drive spindle 10 about itslongitudinal axis.

Spindle 10 has an open ended central bore in which a suitable expandingcollet 15 is telescopically mounted. The outer end of the central borein spindle 10 is frustoconical in shape, and cooperates with thefrusto-conical outer end of collet 15 to grip an adapter having a body16 as collet 15 is drawn into the spindle. Collet 15 is provided withlongitudinally extending slots :17 which enable the collet to becontracted inwardly as the collet is drawn into the spindle to engagethe adapter shank with a tight grip. As is seen in FIGURE 1a, the righthand end of collet 15 terminates in an inwardly directed flange 1521. Acutting tool is releasably held in adapter 16 by any suitable means, asis well known in the art. When making certain cuts with the cuttingtool, the friction grip between the collet and the adapter may beinsufficient to transmit torque from the spindle to the cutting tool.Accordingly, a key 25 (FIGURES 48) is provided to directly couple thespindle \10 to the adapter 16, so that the combined action of the colletand the key will provide a positive drive to the adapter.

Key 25 is integral with a body 21 having a pair of spaced apartsubstantially parallel longitudinal openings 22 extending from end toend thereof. Openings 22 are generally rectangular in cross section, andhave transverse inclined faces 22a spanning the open end of eachopening. The top and bottom surfaces of body 21, as viewed in FIGURE 5,are provided with countersunk holes 23 and 24, which are positioned insubstantial alignment. Key 25 extends longitudinally outwardly from body21 and passes through an elongate opening 26 suitably provided in theside wall of collet 15. Key 25 includes a lower portion of reduced width27 that is engageable with a longitudinally extending keyway in spindle10, and an upper portion of larger width having tapered sides 28 whichare engageable with a suitably tapered keyway 29 in adapter 16. FromFIGURE 8, it is clear that the line of force, indicated by line L/F ofthe adapter on coupling member 25 passes through the corner of thespindle keyway. This eliminates any twisting loads on member 25 leavingonly simple compression loads.

Key body 21 is provided with step portions 30 and 31, which areengageable with locating shoulders 32 and 33 on spindle 10 to positivelylocate body 21 longitudinally within the spindle. Body 21 is held inposition by retainers 34 and 35 having tapered ends which engagecountersunk holes 23 and 24. When an axial force is applied to theadapter, retainers 34 and 35 will be loaded mainly in compression ratherthan bending, due to the interaction of the tapered faces. Retainers 34and 35 are pre-loaded by engagement with suitable thread members 36 and37, that are threadably received in holes 36a and 37a.

As is described in detail in the aforementioned patent application, anadjustable stop button 40 is threadably mounted in an opening 41 in oneend of the adapter body to provide variably extendable means foradjusting the overall length of the adapter and its included tool, andto compensate for variations of tool length due to sharpening. Stopbutton 40 includes an enlarged head 42 having a planar undersurface 43which provides a gripping surface to retain the adapter againstlongitudinal movement relative to the spindle. The outer surface of head42 includes a groove in which an O-ring 42 is positioned, the purpose ofwhich will hereinafter appear. The stop button 40 also includes alongitudinally extending channel 44, the purpose of which will alsohereinafter become more fully apparent. As is best seen in FIGURE 1,head 42 engages a bolt 45 which is mounted in a threaded hole 29 in keybody 21 to provide a stop means that sets the depth to which the adapteris placed in the spindle. Bolt 45 is provided with a longitudinallyextending channel 46 which is shown axially aligned with channel 44 andplaced in communication therewith when head 42 abuts against the head ofbolt 45. As will hereinafter become more apparent, channels 44 and 46may be offset from one another, if desired.

In addition to the grip of collet 15, longitudinal retention of adapter16 is achieved by a pair of latches 50 and 51 which are mounted in theopenings 22 provided in key body 21. Latches 50 and 51 are identical andtherefore a description will be given only of latch 50 with theunderstanding that common reference numerals will be used to indicatethe common areas on each latch. As is best seen in FIGURE 2 and FIGURE3, the leading end of latch 50 is provided with an inclined lower face52 and a notch 53 which defines abutments 54 and 55. The undersurface ofthe leading end of latch 50 is provided with an arcuate groove 56 whichcorresponds in size to a diameter of stop button head 42. This providesa clearance which enables adapter 16 to be withdrawn from the spindlewithout difficulty, as will later be explained in detail. The uppersurface of the leading end of latch 50 is provided with an inclined face57 that is positioned inwardly of abutment 54, and which terminates in aplanar surface 58. A cylindrical bore 59 is formed in the lower surfaceof latch 50 at approximately the center thereof, and is adapted toreceive a compression spring 59a which is seated against the wall ofopening 22. The upper surface of the trailing end of latch 50 isprovided with a notch 60 having inclined ends 61 and 62, and anadditional inclined face 63 which is positioned above an inclined face64 on the lower surface of the trailing end. Faces 57 and 63 correspondin inclination to the inclination of the inclined surface of theadjacent face 22a. The purpose of the aforedescribed latch configurationwill be hereinafter set forth in detail.

A modified form of latch is shown at 51a in FIGURE ll, and the samenumerals have been used to indicate areas corresponding to common areason latch 50 and stop 40, with the addition of the subscript a. Stop head42a is provided with opposed bevelled edges 47 which extendcircumferentially therearound. Notch 53a in latch 51a is relativelynarrow, and receives head 42a therein, with edges 47 being positionedagainst inclined surfaces 48 and 49 at the end of notch 53a. Thus, itwill be apparent that surface 48 cooperates with the edge 47 on theundersurface of head 42a to retain the adapter against longitudinalmovement outwardly of the spindle, and surface 49 cooperates with theedge 47 on the outer surface of head 42a to retain the adapter againstlongitudinal movement inwardly of the spindle.

The latch actuating means and the collet actuating means will be bestunderstood from an examination of FIGURE la. Cap is provided with a port71 which is adapted to be connected to a source of hydraulic fluid, notshown. The introduction and withdrawal of hydraulic fluid through port71 shifts a piston 72, which is slidably mounted in the cylinder 73 thatis defined by the inner wall of the right hand end of a stationarysleeve 7321. A housing is afiixed to a plunger 76, by threading or thelike, for actuation thereof by a bearing 74 that is retained in a bore72a in piston 72 by a snap ring 74a. It will be understood, of course,that the inner diameter of bearing 74 is larger than the outer diameterof the axial extension 75a of housing 75, and that the inner diameter ofsnap ring 7421 is larger than the outer diameter of the main bodyportion 75b of housing 75, so that the piston 72 is free to moverelative to housing 75. It will be further understood that as piston 72moves to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 1a, bearing 74 will contact thetransverse shoulder 75c of housing 75, and continued movement of piston72 will shift plunger 76.

Means are provided for shifting piston 72 to the right, as viewed inFIGURE 1a, after the plunger 76 has been actuated, and include a ring 65having a first outwardly extending flange 66 seated in an annular groove73b in cylinder 73, and a second inwardly extending flange 67. A secondring 68 is fixed to the end portion of piston 72 and includes an annularflange 69. A compression spring is biased between flanges 67 and 69 andurges piston 72 to hte right. It will be understood that after plunger76 has been actuated, suitable valve means, not shown, will disconnectthe source of pressurized fluid from port 71, and the force of spring 79will shift piston 72 to the right. As piston 72 moves to the right, ring74a will bear against bearing 74, so that bearing 74 will move withpiston 72 and be out of engagement with shoulder 75c. It is importantthat thrust bearing 74 not engage shoulder 75c when the spindle isrotating, to obviate the problem of bearing failure at high spindlespeeds.

A plurality of spring washers 77 surround plunger 76 and abut againsthousing 75, and comprise a moderately strong spring means which may beset at a predetermined value. A second series of spring washers 80surrounds plunger 76, and engages a sleeve 81 that in turn surroundsspring washers 77. Spring washers 80 provide a spring means which issubstantially stronger than that provided by spring washers 77. As shownin FIGURE 1, the left hand end of spring washers 80 are positionedagainst abutments 82 which engage the right hand end of key body 21. Theleft hand end of plunger 76, as viewed in FIGURE 1, is provided with apair of opposed grooves which are adapted to receive the trailing end oflatches 50 and 51. Each groove includes an inclined face 76' whichcorresponds in inclination to the inclined surface 64 of latches 50 and51. The grooves terminate in an abutment 76a, which is disposed at rightangles to the axis of plunger 76, and which is engageable with thetrailing end of latches 50 and 51.

As illustrated in FIGURE 1, collet is closed into clamping engagementwith adapter 16, and latch abutments 54 firmly engage head 42 to preventaxial movement of the adapter. When it is desired to release the adapterto change the tool, fluid under pressure is admitted through opening 71to shift piston 72 to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 1a. This movementimparts a corresponding movement to housing 75 and plunger 76, whichshifts through area 83 against the bias of the weaker spring meansprovided by washers 77 to release latches 50 and 51. Movement of plunger76 to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 1, releases faces 76' fromengagement with latch surfaces 64. As plunger 76 continues to move tothe left, shoulder portions 76a engage the trailing ends of latches 50and 51, with latch surfaces 57 and 63 sliding on their respective faces22a. As latches 50 and 51 continue to move to the left, springs 59a willforce the latches apart and release abutments 54 from grippingengagement with head 42. When housing 75 completes its travel throughgap 83, it will engage the end of collet 15 and shift it to the leftagainst the bias of springs 80 to release it from engagement withadapter 16.

While the illustrated latch embodiments 50, 51 and 51a have all beenshown as being movable longitudinally in the spindle to release theadapter, the present invention also contemplates that radially movableor pivotally mounted latches may be used, and thus the invention is notto be limited to the specific embodiments shown.

When it is desired to insert a different tool in the spindle, an adapteris placed in an open collet with its stop button 42 positioned againstbolt 45, and the hydraulic pressure on piston 72 is released. Springwashers 80 first act through sleeve 81 against flange 15a to shiftcollet 15 to the right, and it will close into gripping engagement withadapter 16. It should be noted that the length of opening 26, and ofslots 53 and 60 is such as to allow this action to take place throughouta wide range of thickness of the head of stop button 40. The release ofthe hydraulic pressure will, of course, allow less strong spring washers77 to function after springs 80 and shift plunger 76 to the right, withsurface 76 engaging latch surfaces 64 to force the latches into thelocked position shown in FIGURE 1. In the locked position latches 50 and51, in combination with collet 15, effectively resist the axial forcesupon the adapter 16. Such axial forces are created by the use of steephelix cutters, such as various milling cutters.

In FIGURE 10 a mill M is shown milling a step in a block B where theblock is between the cutter and the spindle so that the cutter forcestend to pull the cutter and adapter out of the spindle. Also, it can bereadily understood that when making a relatively heavy cut with an endmill having flutes with a helix, substantial chattering may occur, whichcauses an axial force of large magnitude. If this force exceeds theaxial gripping ability of collet 15, it will nevertheless be effectivelyresisted by latches 50 and 51, due to the engagement of abutments 54with surface 42, the engagement of surfaces 64 with surfaces 76', andthe engagement of surfaces 63 with surfaces 22a. The latch surfaces 54are pulled against the tool stop 42 by a force essentially that of thesprings 77. If a force is applied to the adapter to pull it out of thespindle, the force required will be the spring force of springs 77 plusthe friction of the several surfaces in contact between the latches 50,the key body 21 and the plunger 76. By the selecion of angles atsurfaces 63 and 64, the magnitude of the friction forces can becontrolled so that the spring force of 77 is multiplied several times orincreased to the point where the latch will be self locking. It shouldalso be noted that the interaction of the inclined faces is alsoeffective to resist the pivotal pull out tendency which occurs when along boring bar is used with certain types of adapters.

Referring again to FIGURE 1a, a fitting is shown having an inlet 91which is adapted to be connected to a source of collant, not shown. Anoutlet 92 is rotatably mounted in fitting 90 and is connected to a tube93 which extends longitudinally through the spindle. It should beunderstood, of course, that cap 70, piston 72, and plunger 76, are eachprovided with a suitable aperture to accommodate tube 93. Tube 93includes a threaded end portion 94 which is received in the threadedopening 29 of key body 21. The coolant will thus travel through acontinuous channel formed by inlet 91, fitting 90, outlet 92, tube 93,bolt channel 46, stop button channel 44, and into the interior of theadapter. Fitting 90 is provided with a suitable bracket 95 which isadapted to secure it to the machine tool frame, not shown.

The coolant supply means described above may also be used to determinewhether or not stop button 40 is positively seated against bolt 45. Themeans by which this is accomplished is shown schematically in FIGURE 9.

Check valve means, indicated generally by reference numeral 96, areprovided at the left hand end of stop button 40, as viewed in FIGURE 9,and include a ball 97 which normally blocks channel 44 when stop button40 is not seated against bolt 45. Ball 97 is held against stop button 40by a spring, as is well known in the art, that provides a known springforce which allows a predetermined pressure in channel 44 to unseat ball97. An orifice 98 is provided in the coolant inlet line to provide onlya restricted volume of coolant for testing purposes. A solenoid operatedon-oif valve 99 is provided in parallel with orifice 98, and it will beunderstood that when stop button 40 is seated against bolt 45, the valve99 can be actuated to bypass orifice 98 and allow the full volume ofcoolant to flow through the adapter. A pressure switch 100 is providedwhich is actuated by the pressure build-up when the adapter ispositively seated against bolt 45. When stop button 40 engages bolt 45,O-ring 42' will create a fiuid tight connection and establishcommunication between channels 44 and 46. When using the system to makesure the tool is properly seated, the stop button 40 is held against thebolt 45 by hand or mechanical means and the collet 15 is closed. To testfor positive contact, a valve at 104 is energized to admit coolant. Thevalve 99 is not energized so that a restricted flow of coolant must passthrough the orifice 98. If the tool stop 40 is not against the bolt 45,the restricted flow will leak away, and not actuate the pressure switch100. If contact exists between 40 and 45, the pressure in line 93 willbuild up to the value set by the check valve 96 and the pressure switchwill be operated giving a signal that the tool is properly located.

If coolant is then required for machining operation, the bypass valve 90will be opened releasing the full fiow of coolant. Otherwise, valve 104will be closed stopping the restricted coolant flow.

It should also be understood that a pneumatic system might also be usedin combination with the aforedescribed coolant system to sense theseating of the adapter against its stop means. To effect this, a sourceof compressed air, not shown, and the coolant supply source, not shown,are connected to a common junction 101 by lines 102 and 103,respectively. The valve 104 and a valve are provided in lines 102 and103 to control the flow of the coolant and air, respectively, into thespindle. Coolant supply valve 104 is shut off prior to insertion of theadapter in the spindle, and air supply valve 105 is turned on to allowair to flow through the system. The How of air through the system iseffective to clean off any foreign particles which may be present uponthe mating surfaces of stop button 40 and bolt 45, which allows theadapter 16 to be positively seated within the spindle. Accordingly,tools which are preset to an accurate length may be correctly located inthe spindle. As head 42 approaches bolt 45 the air flow out of channel46 will be restricted and the pressure in channel 46 will rise toactuate the switch 100. When head 42 engages bolt 45, coolant supplyvalve 104 may be opened to introduce coolant into the system. It will bereadily appreciated that the sensing of the seating of the adapter, asdescribed above, is accomplished without any wastage of coolant. Whenopening valve 104 to introduce the coolant into the system, valve 105may also be left open to allow a combined flow of air and coolantthrough the system. The air supply may also be used to operateaccessories which may be mounted in the spindle as desired.

I claim:

[1. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, a tool adapter positionable in said bore and having abody adapted to hold a tool at one end thereof, selectively operableconstrictive means in said spindle to grip the adapter, and latch meansfor engaging said adapter to prevent axial pull out of said adapter] [2.In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, a tool adapter positionable in said bore and having abody adapted to hold a tool at one end theerof, selectively operableconstrictive means in said spindle to grip the adapter, latch means forengag ing said adapter to prevent axial pull out of said adapter, and asingle power element for releasing both said constritcive means and saidlatch means] 3. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatablespindle with an internal bore, a tool adapter positionable in said boreand having a body adapted to hold a tool at one end thereof, selectivelyoperable constrictive means in said spindle to grip the adapter, latchmeans for engaging said adapter to prevent axial pull out of saidadapter, and means for actuating said latch means after saidconstrictive means have gripped the adapter.

4. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, an abutment in said bore, a tool adapter positionable insaid bore against said abutment and having a body with engageable meansthereon, selectively operable constrictive means in said spindle to gripthe adapter, and latch means for engaging said engageable means toprevent axial pull out of said adapter.

5. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, an abutment in said bore, a tool adapter positionable insaid bore and having a body adapted to hold a tool at one end thereofand the opposite end having an adjustable member for engaging saidabutment and establishing an eifective overall length for the adapterand tool carried thereby, selectively operable constrictive means insaid spindle to grip the adapter, and latch means for engaging saidadjustable member to prevent axial pull out of said adapter.

6. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, a tool adapter positionable in said bore and having abody adapted to hold a tool at one end thereof, selectively operableconstrictive means in said spindle to grip the adapter, latch means forengaging said adapter to prevent axial pull out of said adapter, meanswithin said spindle for actuating said constrictive means and said latchmeans, and means outside of said spindle for releasing said constrictivemeans and said latch means.

7. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, a tool [adapted] adapter positionable in said bore andhaving a cylindrical body adapted to hold a tool at one end thereof,means for sensing the presence of an adapter in said bore, and latchmeans for engaging said adapter to prevent axial pull out of saidadapter.

8. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, a tool adapter positionable in said bore and having acylindrical body adapted to hold a tool at one end thereof, latch meansfor engaging said adapter to prevent axial pull out of said adapter, acoolant channel in said spindle adapted to communicate with saidadapter, and means providing a resilient seal between said coolantchannel and said adapter.

9. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, an abutment in said bore, a tool adapter positioned insaid bore forwardly of said abutment and having a body that iscylindrical from end to end thereof and adapted to hold a tool at theforward end thereof, the rearward end of said body having an adjustablestop for engaging said abutment and establishing an effective overalllength for the adapter and tool carried thereby, said stop having agripping surface disposed at right angles with respect to the axis ofsaid adapter, and latch means movable into engagement with the grippingsurface on said adjustable stop after said stop has been positioned inengagement with said abutment to prevent axial pull out of said adapterin said spindle.

10. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, an abutment in said bore, a tool adapter positionable insaid bore and having a cylindrical body adapted to hold a tool at oneend and the opposite end having an adjustable member for engaging saidabutment and establishing an effective overall length for the adapterand tool carried thereby, said member having spaced apart coplanarlocking surfaces, and latch means releasably engaging both said lockingsurfaces to prevent axial movement of said adapter into or out of saidspindle.

11. In a machine tool having a head including a rotatable spindlereceiving a tool carrying adapter, means for locking said adapter forrotation with said spindle and preventing axial movement of said adapterrelative to said spindle comprising: a body having guide means, meansfixedly mounting said body in said spindle; key and keyway meanscooperating to lock said spindle and said adapter for rotation together;and a latch operatively associated with said guide means and engagingsaid adapter to prevent relative axial movement between said adapter andsaid spindle.

12. The locking means defined in claim 11 wherein said keyway meanscomprises aligned, longitudinally extending keyways in said spindle andsaid adapter, and wherein said key is integral with said body andextends axially outwardly therefrom into said keyways; said body beingprovided with a pair of guide means defined by spaced apartlongitudinally extending openings, and a second latch, each of saidopenings receiving one of said latches, said latches gripping saidadapter at opposite sides thereof.

13. The locking means defined in claim 11 wherein spring means bias saidlatch into firm gripping engagement with said adapter.

14. The locking means defined in claim 11 wherein said latch has spacedsurfaces engaging opposed sides of said adapter to retain said adapteragainst axial movement in either axial direction.

15. A machine tool as defined in claim 11 in which said adapter includesa portion having inclined edges on opposed surfaces thereof, and whereinsaid latch has spaced inclined surfaces each engaging one of said edgesto retain said adapter against axial movement in either axial direction.

[16. In a machine tool utilizing a tool adapter having a body withlocking means thereon, a spindle having a bore with a contractiblecollet engageable with said adapter body, latch means within said boreengageable with the locking means of the adapter, and means foractuating said collet and latch means, said actuating means having aportion which is rotatable relative to said collet and latch means andis selectively engageable for actuation of the collet and latch means][17. In a machine tool as defined in claim 16 in which said actuatingmeans includes spring means for moving both said latch means and colletto active position and a single power element which acts in oppositionto said spring means to release both said collet and said latch means,said power element being the portion of said actuating means which isrotatable relative to said collet and latch means] 18. A machine toolhaving a spindle with a bore for receiving a tool, means in said borefor sensing the presence of a tool including a member positioned forengagement by a tool, and a fluid channel in said member positioned forobstruction by the tool when present whereby the pressure of fluid insaid channel provides an indication of tool presence.

19. A machine tool as defined in claim 18 wherein a pair of fluid linesare alternatively connectable to said channel for supplying eithersensing fluid or coolant fluid to said channel.

20. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, stop means fixedly mounted in said bore and including abody having guide means, a tool adapter positioned in said bore andhaving a tool mounted at one end thereof, a stop button at the other endof said adapter seated against said stop means, key and keyway meansdrivingly connecting said adapter and said spindle, a latch slidablypositioned in said body guide means, said latch having an abutmentreleasably gripping said stop button to prevent axial movement of saidadapter relative to said spindle, spring means biasing said latch intosecure gripping engagement with said stop button, a plunger reciprocallymounted in said spindle, said plunger having means engageable with saidlatch to shift said abutment into and out of gripping engagement withsaid stop button, and means for shifting said plunger in said spindle,

21. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, said bore having an open end and a closed end, stop meansincluding an apertured body fixedly mounted in said bore between saidopen and closed ends, a tool adapter positioned in the open end of saidbore and having a tool mounted at one end thereof, a stop button at theother end of said adapter seated against said stop means, said bodyhaving a longitudinally extending key drivingly connecting said adapterand said spindle and a latch slidably positioned in a body aperture,said latch releasably gripping said stop button to prevent axialmovement of said adapter relative to said spindle, a plungerreciprocally mounted in said spindle, said plunger having meansengageable with said latch to shift said latch into and out of grippingengagement with said stop button, an expandable collet positioned in theopen end of said bore and surrounding said adapter, a flange on saidcollet, first spring means acting between said body and said flange tourge said collet towards the closed end of said spindle, said collethaving an elongate opening through which said key extends, an abutmentmounted on said plunger and spaced from said collet when said latch isengaging said stop button, second spring means acting between saidplunger abutment and said first spring means, and reciprocal pistonmeans mounted in the closed end of said bore and engageable wtih saidplunger abutment when said piston moves towards the open end of saidbore to shift said plunger and first compress said second spring meansto release said latch from engagement with said adjustable stop andsecond shift said collet toward the open end of said bore against thebias of said first spring means to release said collet from grippingengagement with said adapter.

22. The combination defined in claim 21 wherein said first spring meansis substantially stronger than said second spring means.

23. The combination defined in claim 21 wherein a passageway is providedin the closed end of said spindle, in said piston, in said plunger, insaid body, and in said stop button whereby a continuous coolant channelis created which extends from the exterior of said spindle into theinterior of said adapter.

24. The combination defined in claim 21 wherein said body is providedwith an inclined surface adjacent said aperture, said latch including afirst inclined surface abutting said body inclined surface when saidlatch is positioned in gripping engagement with said stop button, asecond inclined surface on said latch, and said plunger means includingan inclined surface engageable with said latch second inclined surfacewhen said latch is positioned in gripping engagement with said stopbutton.

25. A device for preventing relative axial movement between a firstmember having a bore with an internal shoulder and a second membertelescopically positioned in the bore and having a gripping surface,comprising: a body positioned in said bore and seated against saidshoulder; means engaging said body and immovably holding said bodyagainst said shoulder; a pair of spaced apart longitudinal openings insaid body, an inclined surface adjacent each end of said openings, saidsurfaces each facing inwardly into said bore; a latch slidablypositioned in each opening, each latch having first and second spacedapart inclined surfaces facing outwardly of said bore and engaging saidbody inclined surfaces, an abutment adjacent one end of each latchfacing inwardly into said bore and engaging said gripping surface, athird inclined surface at the opposite end of each latch and facinginwardly into said bore; a plunger reciprocally mounted in said bore andhaving a pair of inclined surfaces engaging said latch third inclinedsurfaces; and spring means urging said plunger axially of said bore.

26. The device in claim 25 wherein means are provided for releasing saidlatches from engagement with said gripping surface, said means includinga shoulder on said plunger adjacent each plunger inclined surface andengageable with said latches upon reciprocation of said plunger torelease said latch abutments from engagement with said gripping surface.

27. In combination: a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore; a member fixedly mounted in said bore and having achannel extending therethrough; a tool adapter positioned in said boreand having a body adapted to hold a tool at one end, an element on theother end of said adapter and positionable adjacent said member, achannel extending through said element and adapted to communicate withsaid member channel; and means for sensing the presence of the adaptercomprising, a valve in said element channel adapted to open at a givenpredetermined pressure to permit fluid flow therethrough, a pressureresponsive switch actuable by a pressure indicating the presence of saidadapter, and means connecting said pressure switch, member channel,element channel and valve to a source of fluid.

28. The combination defined in claim 27 wherein said conduit meansincludes means for providing a restricted volume of fluid for sensing.

29. A tool supporting, driving and handling adapter comprising, acylindrical body supporting a tool adjacent an end thereof and adaptedto be mounted in a spindle socket, adjustable means at an opposite endof the body positionable at different distances from said opposite endof the body for seating in said spindle socket and establishing anover-all effective length for the adapter and a tool carried thereby, achannel extending through said adjustable means, and means providing afluid tight seal around said channel when said body is seated in saidspindle socket.

30. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, a tool adapter positionable in said bore and having abody adapted to hold a tool at one end thereof, selectively operableconstrictive means in said spindle to grip the adapter, latch means forengaging said adapter to prevent axial pull out of the adapter, a drawbar for actuating said latch means, spring means biasing said draw barto move said latch means into engagement with said adapter to retainsaid adapter, and interengaging inclined surface means on said draw bar,

said latch means, and in said spindle bore for supplementing theretention eflect of said spring means.

31. A device for preventing relative axial movement between a firstmember having a bore and a second member telescopically positioned inthe bore and having a gripping surface, comprising: a body positioned insaid bore; means engaging said body for holding the same againstmovement in said bore; a pair of spaced apart longitudinal openings insaid body, a pair of spaced apart inclined surfaces in each of saidopenings; a latch slidably positioned in each opening, each latch havingfirst and second spaced apart inclined surfaces each being positionedfor engagement with one of said body inclined surfaces, an abutmentadjacent one end of each latch engaging said gripping surface, a thirdinclined surface at the opposite end of each latch; a plungerreciprocally mounted in said bore and having a pair of inclined surfacesengaging said latch third inclined surfaces; and spring means urgingsaid plunger axially of said bore.

32. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, a tool adapter positionable in said bore and having abody adapted to hold a tool at one end thereof, selectively operableconstrictive means in said spindle to grip the adapter, and radially andgenerally longitudinally movable nonpivoted latch means for engagingsaid adapter surface to prevent axial pull out of said adapter.

33. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore; means defining a surface in said spindle bore inclinedwith respect to the axis thereof; a tool adapter positionable in saidbore and having a body adapted to hold a tool in one end thereof, saidadapter having a gripping surface; latch means including at least onelatch member in said spindle bore having a first surface adapted toengage the gripping surface of said adapter, said latch member having asecond surface inclined with respect to the axis of said spindle boreand engageable with the inclined surface in said spindle bore, saidlatch member having a third surface inclined with respect to the axis ofsaid spindle bore in a direction opposite from said latch member secondsurface; and means for releasing the latching engagement of said latchmember first surface and said adapter gripping surface including a drawrod positioned in said spindle bore, said draw rod having a surfaceinclined with respect to the axis of said spindle bore and engageablewith said latch member third surface, whereby forces applied to saidadapter tending to pull the same axially outwardly of said bore areefiectively resisted by having the engagement of said latch membersecond surface and the inclined surface in the spindle bore resolve saidaxial force into a component tending to move said latch member in adirection parallel to the inclined surface in said spindle bore, whichmovement is resisted by engagement of said latch member third surfacewith said draw rod surface.

34. The combination of claim 33 wherein spring means biases said drawbar to urge said latch bar first surface into engagement with thegripping surface of said adapter.

35. The combination claim 33 wherein said latch means includes a pair ofgenerally identical latch members at diametrically opposite sides ofsaid spindle bore.

36. The combination of claim 33 wherein said adapter gripping surface ispositioned generally perpendicularly with respect to the axis of saidspindle bore, and wherein said latch member first surface is alsopositioned generally perpemlicularly with respect to the axis of saidspindle bore.

37. The combination of claim 33 including collet means within saidspindle bore for gripping said adapter body, and means for actuatingsaid collet prior to the actuation of said latch means.

38. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, a tool adapter positionable in said bore and having atbody adapted to hold a tool at one end thereof, a collet in said spindlefor gripping the adapter upon application of a longitudinal force tosaid collet, means for guiding said collet longitudinally in saidspindle as said force is applied including means defining alongitudinally extending slot and a guide member received thereon, andlatch means for engaging said adapter surface to prevent axial pull outof said adapter.

39. The combination of claim 38 wherein said slot is provided in saidcollet, and said guide member is fixed relative to said spindle and hasa portion received in said collet slot.

40. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, a tool adapter positionable in said bore and having abody adapted to hold a tool at one end thereof, said adapter having asurface disposed generally perpendicularly with respect to therotational axis of said spindle, selectively operable constrictive meansin said spindle to grip the adapter, and latch means having at least onesurface disposed generally perpendicularly with respect to therotational axis of said spindle for engaging said adapter surface toprevent axial pull out of said adapter.

41. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, a tool adapter positionable in said bore and having abody adapted to hold a tool at one end thereof, selectively operableconstrictive means in said spindle to grip the adapter, latch means forengaging said adapter to prevent axial pull out of said adapter, and asingle power element for releasing both said constrictive means and saidlatch means, said element releasing said latch means prior to therelease of said constrictive means.

42. In a machine tool utilizing a tool adapter having a body withlocking means thereon, a spindle having a bore with a contractiblecollet engageable with said adapter body, latch means within said boreengageable with the locking means of the adapter, and means foractuating said collect and latch means, said actuating means having aportion in said spindle which is rotatable relative to said collet andlatch means and is selectively engageable for actuation of the colletand latch means.

43. In a machine tool as defined in claim 41 in which said actuatingmeans includes spring means for moving both said latch means and colletto active position and a single power element which acts in oppositionto said spring means to release both said collet and said latch means,said power element being the portion of said actuating means which isrotatable relative to said collet and latch means.

44. In combination, a machine tool having a rotatable spindle with aninternal bore, a tool adapter positionable in said bore and having abody adapted to hold a tool at one end thereof, selectively operableconstrictive means in said spindle to grip the adapter, latch meansmounted for radial and generally longitudinal movement for engaging saidadapter surface, and means for moving said latch means into engagementwith said adapter surface to prevent axial pull-out of said adapter.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1964 Budden et a1. 90-1111/1958 Stephan 90-11 GERALD A. DOST, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 77-3

